John Reese Davies was born in the Welsh county of Cardiganshire in 1839, and was educated there. He then completed a building and carpentry apprenticeship in London before emigrating to New Zealand, landing at Bluff in 1863. For the next ten years, Davies would follow his trade in all parts of New Zealand, as well as taking part in the goldmining on the West Coast. In the 1870's, Davies decided to become a farmer, and farmed in the Sanden Black for seven years before purchasing land in the Feilding district. On this land, Davies built the house Penbryn, meaning "top of the hill".
Davies was described as "greatly interested in his own district", and was heavily involved with the improvement of his community. He was a member of the Kiwitea Road Board for several years, and an active member of the Beaconsfield School Committee. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal society dedicated to "provide a framework that promotes personal and social development.
Davies married in 1866, to Miss England of Lower Hutt, and had five sons and seven daughters.